Visit to South
We push our driver to take us further south towards the Yala reserve to enjoy a swell that looks pretty solid. We discover a gem in Okanda. The take off is quite simple and is against a rock which is quite impressive. The wave is pretty cool to start and you can make some manoeuvres before digging and getting a good tube. The show is at its peak and all the villagers come to observe these strange visitors that walk on water. We are quickly invited to visit the Hindu temple which is at the centre of the village and seems to be the essential gathering place. We are greeted with the utmost respect and invited to share a meal with the villagers. Sri Lanka is a mixture of religions and the tensions seem to have completely subsided since the end of the war.
Buddhists are also numerous. They are fairly discreet and come to our meeting to give us cakes after our second session. They do not know that Manu was sulking before the cakes and I think at one point he was thinking of converting. Zen people, always very quiet, who spend their time meditating and eating cakes … the ideal religion in the eyes of Manu.
